Friday, March 28, 2014

Mighty in the Chaos




Today I'm joining hundreds of other writers to write for five minutes flat about one word. No hyper-editting. No backtracking. Loving and encouraging your fellow writers. Won't you join us over here?

Today's word: mighty

Nothing makes this mama of two boys feel more inadequate than when five o' clock rolls around, I'm trying to make dinner while the kids are fighting in the next room, and I'm wondering why on earth I didn't order a pizza for dinner. I think how calm and peaceful of a person I was less than an hour ago, and somehow all of that collectedness flew out the window as soon as my five-year-old jumped into the car at the bus stop and immediately began antagonizing his younger brother.

Why did I think I was qualified to raise these children who send me over the edge of my sanity faster than the blink of an eye? Where was this temper than rages within me when I was in my twenties? As I stand here and try to dodge grease splattering from the skillet while at the same time trying not to trip over my toddler who refuses to stay out of the kitchen for more than thirty seconds.

In those nano-moments between the yelling and the tattling and the tripping over small feet, I say the only name that can make me mighty when I am weak. When I am failing.

Jesus.

It's all I have time to say but it's all I need. He gives me the grace that I so desperately lack. He fills in the spaces when I wonder if I'll make it until bedtime. He is my mighty warrior in the battlefield of my life filled with calls of "mama" when all I want to do is lay my head down on the pillow. 

And even though order is not restored I somehow manage to get food on the plates while the kids are still alive.

He's my power in the midst of the chaos.



10 comments:

  1. Isn't motherhood the most humbling of experiences? As a mother of children ages 28, 17, 16, and 14 let me just say dinner gets easier! Thanks for sharing your writing with all of us.

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    1. Yes it is! I'm so thankful God gives me the peace I often lack. Thanks for stopping here.

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  2. There is so much power in His name! Sometimes that is all I have left in me too. That simple cry to the Lord Jesus, and yes, He is mighty. :) I thought about the song by 7eventh Time Down when I read your post. It is beautiful just like your life is. Thank you Abby for sharing your piece of the world and for visiting my own blog today. So glad that you did! PS - I love the name of your blog.

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    1. Yes there is, Kelly! I don't know if I've heard that song but I'll have to google it. :-) Thank you so much for your encouraging words today.

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  3. Thanks, Abby! This is exactly what I needed to read this morning! You have also encouraged me to be apart of the 5 minute Fridays community. Your words are very moving!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words this morning, Abby. You have no idea how much I appreciate them. I'm glad to hear moved you to be part of FMF, as it has been such a blessing for me and so many others! I look forward to reading more of your writing. :-)

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  4. I am the master of the one word prayer as well. Amazing what it can do in the middle of the storm. Loved your story and could see myself in my own kitchen - no toddlers anymore, but kids at the table with homework, fighting over iPads and tv stations and who's turn it is to set the table....ooops! did I just let you in on the secret that it never gets less hectic!!!??? But I love it! Thanks for the story.

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    1. Thank you, Lisa! I've heard that it doesn't get less hectic from other people as well so I will continue to say my one word prayers in the kitchen for a while. ;-)

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  5. Makes me think of the Natalie Grant song "Your Great Name." There is so much power, love, and peace in the name of Jesus.

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  6. Hi Abigail! My name is Heather and I was wondering if you would be willing to answer my question about your blog! My email is Lifesabanquet1 AT gmail DOT com :-) I greatly appreciate it!

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